If you live in an area with sandy soil, your horse may be at risk for sand colic. This problem can occur when horses consume small amounts of sand as they graze or eat off the ground. Horses kept in dry lots with sand for footing are more prone to ingesting sand; however, overgrazed or overstocked pastures can also lead to inadvertent sand consumption.
Some horses may intentionally ingest sand or soil in the pasture as well. This is often due to a nutritional deficiency, such as a lack of selenium or sodium in the diet. They may also do this out of boredom, especially if there is a lack of good-quality forage available.
Because sand is bulkier than feed, it tends to settle and accumulate in the large colon once ingested. Over time, a significant amount of sand can build up, leading irritation of the GI tract lining, or possibly an obstruction. This often results in colic, weight loss, or diarrhea.
Signs of Sand Colic
If your horse has ingested or accumulated a large amount of sand in their bowel, they may show typical colic symptoms such as:
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- Lack of appetite
- Reduced manure output or dry, hard fecal balls
- Distressed or anxious behavior
- Pawing
- Looking at or biting at the sides or flanks
- Lying down and standing up repeatedly
- Rolling
- Elevated heart rate (over 64 bpm)
- Changes in other vital signs
Diagnosing and Treating Sand Colic
Though the symptoms may be the same, sand colic differs from other types of colic because sand is the contributing factor. If sand colic is suspected, your veterinarian may use certain diagnostic methods such as fecal sedimentation measurement or ultrasound to determine if sand is the cause. The best way to determine the presence and amount of sand, however, is with GI radiographs. This may only be available at large equine hospitals though.
Sand colic with an impaction is treated similarly to other types of colic. IV hydration and enteral fluids via nasogastric tube are standard. Laxatives such as magnesium sulfate may also be administered. Your vet may give your horse psyllium to help evacuate the sand, but the horse must first be passing formed manure.
If colic signs continue after treatment, surgical intervention may be necessary. Fortunately, most horse who undergo this type of surgery have a good prognosis.
Preventing Sand Colic
Prevention of sand colic revolves around minimizing sand ingestion by feeding horses off the ground with tubs, hay nets, and raised feeders. Rubber mats can be placed below feeders so if feed is dropped, the horse will not ingest sand while consuming it.
Supplementing your horse with a product such as SandGuard is also a great prevention tactic. This product contains food-grade stone-ground organic flaxseed which traps and suspends sand, ultimately eliminating it from the body. Flaxseed is also a great source of fiber and omega 3 fatty-acids that comes with many other health benefits.
Sand colic is common in areas with sandy soil, so if your horse is at risk, make sure to follow the above recommendations to avoid this potentially dangerous problem!